Full-time adult ordinary time earnings rose by 4.7% for males and 5.0% for females in the twelve months to February 2005.

In the twelve months to February 2005, full-time adult total earnings rose by 5.4% for males and 4.9% for females.

Full-time adult ordinary time earnings for the private and public sectors rose by 4.9% and 4.3% respectively in the twelve months to February 2005.

NOTES

FORTHCOMING CHANGES

CONCURRENT SEASONAL ADJUSTMENT

From the August 2005 issue of this publication, the ABS will use concurrent seasonal adjustment in the Survey of Average Weekly Earnings (AWE), replacing the forward factor adjustment method currently used to produce seasonally adjusted estimates. Concurrent seasonal adjustment uses original data up to and including the current quarter to update seasonal factors each quarter, whereas the forward factor adjustment method only updates seasonal factors annually.

As a result of the quarterly updating of seasonal factors, seasonally adjusted estimates will be revised each quarter under the concurrent adjustment method, compared with annual revisions under the forward factor method. However, the degree of revision will generally be less under the concurrent adjustment method (i.e. initial seasonally adjusted estimates will be closer on average to their final values), as any change in seasonality will be picked up sooner.

NOTES ON ESTIMATES

COMPOSITIONAL EFFECTS

Movements in average weekly earnings can be affected by both changes in the level of earnings per employee and changes in the composition of the labour force. For example, changes in the proportions of full-time, part-time, casual and junior employees and variations in the distribution of occupations can affect movements in earnings series. Refer to paragraphs 18 and 19 of the Explanatory Notes.

SEASONAL ADJUSTMENT

The annual review of seasonal adjustment factors for Average Weekly Earnings has been completed. As a result, some previously published seasonally adjusted and trend estimates have been revised. See paragraphs 27 to 35 of the Explanatory Notes.

SAMPLING ERROR

For information on sampling error refer to the Technical Note. Standard errors for the original estimates contained in this publication are in tables 18 to 20.

INQUIRIES

For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Manpreet Singh on Perth (08) 9360 5304.